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Otis College of Art and Design vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Los Angeles CA · vs · Private nonprofit, Escondido CA

The verdict

John Paul the Great Catholic University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $138,664 in 16.2 years versus 20.9 years at Otis College of Art and Design, on median earnings of $56,930 vs $58,152 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOtis College of Art and DesignJohn Paul the Great Catholic University
Net price / yr$51,248$34,666
Total net cost$204,992$138,664
Median earnings, 10 yrs$58,152$56,930
Median debt$27,000$26,968
Payback20.9 yrs16.2 yrs
20-year net return-$9,152$32,736

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Otis College of Art and Design or John Paul the Great Catholic University?

John Paul the Great Catholic University, at $34,666 a year after aid versus $51,248 — a gap of $16,582 a year, or $66,328 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Otis College of Art and Design or John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn more?

Otis College of Art and Design graduates report a median $58,152 ten years after entry, $1,222 more than the $56,930 at John Paul the Great Catholic University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Otis College of Art and Design or John Paul the Great Catholic University?

John Paul the Great Catholic University: its completers carry a median $26,968 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Otis College of Art and Design, a difference of $32. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Otis College of Art and Design, against 64% at John Paul the Great Catholic University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Otis College of Art and Design vs John Paul the Great Catholic University: frequently asked questions

Is Otis College of Art and Design or John Paul the Great Catholic University a better value?
John Paul the Great Catholic University. It clears its $138,664 net cost in about 16.2 years versus 20.9 years at Otis College of Art and Design, on median earnings of $56,930 vs $58,152 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Otis College of Art and Design or John Paul the Great Catholic University?
John Paul the Great Catholic University: $34,666/yr net price after aid versus $51,248/yr at Otis College of Art and Design — a difference of $16,582 a year, or about $66,328 over four years.
Do Otis College of Art and Design or John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates earn more?
Otis College of Art and Design graduates earn a median $58,152 ten years after entry, versus $56,930 at John Paul the Great Catholic University — a $1,222 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.